Fated

Chapter 23

A sh led me to Madam Pearl’s sitting room, but instead of guiding me to the usual chair, he walked straight to her desk and stopped in front of the wall behind it. I glanced at him, confused as he lifted his hand and placed it against the wall. A moment later, the wall shimmered, revealing a sliding door.

The space beyond was stark and utilitarian, a sharp contrast to the elegance of the rest of the manor. Its walls and floors were made of cold, uninviting concrete. Maps—some faded and worn, others marked with fresh ink—covered the walls. In the center stood a long conference table and at the far end sat Madam Pearl, scribbling something into a journal.

The door slid shut behind us, sealing the room in silence. Madam Pearl lifted her gaze from her small book, her expression serious and void of the warmth she usually exuded. “What does she know?” she asked, her voice sharp and directed at Ash.

“Everything,” Ash replied, his tone grave, matching Madam Pearl’s. He crossed the room and pulled out a chair for me, opposite Madam Pearl, before taking the seat beside me.

Madam Pearl’s gaze shifted from me to Ash, her eyes narrowing. “Before you and Areya arrived three days ago, we had feared the worst—that Agidius, holding the heir power of Astern, had taken your power, as well as the heir power of Ellington, from his mother.

Ash nodded, his expression solemn. Something about him was different in this moment. His posture was straighter, his presence more commanding, as if a mantel of authority had settled over him. Then it dawned on me, slowly and with awe, that I was no longer just with Ash and Madam Pearl. I was also at the war table with the King of Ambrosia and the leader of Cresinthia.

“Under the influence of the sire bond,” Ash began, his voice steady and controlled, “all Agidius had to do was ask, and I would have willingly handed over my power,”

I watched Madam Pearl process this, the gears in her mind clearly working as her eyes narrowed. “Instead of following through with his plan to take your power, as Cynthia revealed, Agidius shifted focus,” she said, her voice measured. “He prioritized finding Areya.”

Her pen tapped rhythmically against the desk. “The question we now need to answer is how Agidius knew about Areya’s existence and why finding her became so important that he was willing to halt years of careful planning.”

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat at the implication of my importance to Agidius. Ash must have sensed my unease because his hand found my knee, offering silent assurance.

Madam Pearl’s sharp gaze caught the gesture, but she continued unfazed.

“We know Areya can cure someone affected by the curse, but not on a massive scale, certainly not without help. No one even knew of her existence, so she shouldn’t have been a threat—certainly not one big enough to make Agidius pause his plans for world domination for sixteen years.”

The silence was heavy before Ash finally asked, “What if Areya wasn’t a threat to those under the curse but to Agidius himself?”

Madam Pearl squinted at him, considering his words. “You’re implying she is a threat to the actual heir power?”

Ash nodded slowly. “Besides Agidius, Areya is the only heir to the Astern power line. If she were to kill him, the power would transfer to her.”

The gravity of his statement hit me like a punch to the gut, my body stiffening.

Madam Pearl didn’t look convinced though. “You are saying that a young, untrained healer possesses the power to take out the heir to not one, but two kingdoms?

Ash sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Honestly, Pearl, I can’t answer that. I just know there is something we are missing, and it all revolves around Areya.”

Madam Pearl tapped her pen against the table again, deep in thought.

“It still begs the question of why Agidius didn’t take your power. Why risk leading you to find the one person who could break your curse? If he had your power, along with Ellington’s and his own, he’d be unstoppable. Even your blood wards wouldn’t hold up against that much power. He would waltz right into Titan and pluck the final heir power right out of King Aldo.”

“There’s more at play,” Ash added, his tone darkening. “We can’t forget who’s really behind all this. Cynthia set this plan in motion long before Agidius was even born. Why would she want her son to hold so much power?”

Madam Pearl leaned back slightly, her expression thoughtful. “It seems we have more questions than answers. So, what is your next move, King?”

It was strange to hear Madam Pearl address Ash by his royal title, and it made the gravity of the situation even more real.

“I need to get Areya to Ambrosia. My people can work with her on developing a widespread cure, and she will be safe there.”

“And you?” Madam Pearl asked, her eyes narrowing as if already knowing the answer.

Ash hesitated, his jaw tightening before glancing at me for a moment. “After I get Areya to Ambrosia, I’m going back into Astern to find the answers we need.”

“NO!” The word burst from me before I could stop it, panic flooding my veins. The mere thought of Ash falling back into the clutches of that monster sent a shudder of fear through me.

Ash looked at me, conflicted, his expression softening. “Areya—“ he murmured.

Madam Pearl cut in, her voice firm. “Sebastian is the only one who stands a chance of walking into that kingdom and coming back alive. You must understand that.”

But I didn’t care. I couldn’t lose Ash. “Ash, please,” I pleaded.

Madam Pearl spoke again. “Don’t underestimate Sebastian’s power, dear. He is the most powerful king Gardonia has ever known.”

But I didn’t acknowledge her, my focus solely on Ash.

“I have to go, Areya,” he said, his voice strained. “You’ll never be safe as long as Agidius exists. I need to find his weaknesses, and to find out why he fears you.”

Tears blurred my vision, spilling down my cheeks.

“Take me with you,” I demanded weakly.

“Sebastian needs to be at full attention,” Madam Pearl interjected again. “If Agidius holds the power of two kingdoms, then even Sebastian’s abilities might not be enough to face him.”

Ash’s eyes locked on to mine, filled with an unbearable mixture of determination and sorrow. “I can’t lose you, Ash,” I whimpered, hardly able to get the words out.

He grabbed my hand and squeezed it tightly, his thumb brushing my skin soothingly.

“There is something else,” Ash said.

Madam Pearl’s attention sharpened as she looked at him. “What is it?”

Ash’s next words felt like a hammer. “Agidius has my sister.”

Madam Pearl gasped, “Reize is in Astern?”

Ash nodded. “He kept her close all these years, keeping her as one of his personal servants. I’ve seen his disdain for her, but until I regained my memories, I didn’t know it was Reize.”

His gaze fell on me, pain etched into his features.

“She was the one sitting next to Calyx in the vision.”

There was nothing else I could say. I wouldn’t ask Ash not to go, not when it meant saving his sister from Agidius. The thought of that beautiful girl trapped under his control made my stomach turn, bile rising in my throat. But the reality that Ash would take me to his kingdom—leaving me surrounded by strangers while he returned to face unimaginable danger—made it hard to breathe. My chest tightened, my breaths becoming shallow and erratic.

Ash noticed my distress immediately, placing his hand on my back. “Breathe, Areya,” he whispered, his voice like a soothing balm. I focused on his touch, the warmth of his hand, and slowly, my breathing steadied, though the fear still remained.

“There’s one thing we have to do before I go to Astern,” he said quietly.

“What is it?” My voice was barely audible.

“We are getting Calyx back.”

***

“How do you plan on getting Calyx back?” I asked Ash, packing my clothes neatly into the lilac bag. After our intense meeting with Madam Pearl, Ash had informed me we’d be leaving for Ambrosia as soon as I was ready. He had already packed his things earlier this morning and was now helping me fold clothes into my bag.

“Agidius knows if anyone can find me, it’s Calyx. He also knows that once I regain my memories, I’ll come for him. So, he’ll make sure Calyx is stationed somewhere obvious.”

“Ok, but are we just going to wander around Astern, hoping to bump into him?” I was genuinely unsure how he planned to track him down.

Ash smirked slightly, shaking his head. “No, we are going to track him.”

“How?” I raised an eyebrow.

“His motorcycle,” Ash said simply. “The motorcycles we rode that first night—they’re from my kingdom. Agidius presented them as if they were gifts for his second and third in command, but they’d been ours all along. Once we get to Ambrosia, Tessa can track them anywhere in Gardonia.”

“Tessa?”

“Tessa is the castle’s appointed Genius, in charge of everything tech related. Her power is technology itself; she doesn’t just understand it, she can manipulate it, read it, control it,” Ash explained.

“Wow, ok, so after Tessa tracks him down. I heal him?”

“If you’re willing, yes, I would like you to,” Ash replied, his voice softening.

“Of course I will, Ash.”

He gave me a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“So, how do we get to Ambrosia?” I asked.

“We’ll take the kingdom train from Echo to the river entrance in Ambrosia. Someone from Cresinthia will escort us to the surface. I’ll open the wards briefly so we can enter.”

A wave of nervousness washed over me, twisting my stomach into knots. I hadn’t realized how comfortable I’d become in Cresinthia, surrounded by trusted people. But now, the weight of reality was crushing down on me; I was about to enter Ash’s kingdom as a stranger.

Would his people welcome me as Ash’s ... whatever I was to him?

Healing blood might grant me royal status in Astern, but what would they think when they discovered I was connected to Agidius, the man who had cursed their king? I wouldn’t blame them if they hated me. The thought of it made my chest tighten, anxiety gripping me like a vice.

Ash stopped what he was doing and pulled me into his arms. “Are you ok?”

“I’m just nervous. I’m about to go home with you to your kingdom—because you’re a freaking king, for god’s sake,” I blurted out, the realization still hitting me like a shock every time I remembered. I shook my head, overwhelmed by it all. “What will your people think of me? What if they hate me when they find out I’m related to Agidius? What if your family hates me? And then there’s the fact you’re planning on going back to that wretched kingdom.”

The words spilled out, tumbling over each other in a rush of fear and doubt.

Ash took my hand and pulled me toward the bed.

He sat down and tugged me into his lap, wrapping strong arms around me as if to shield me from my own worries. “Do you trust me, Areya?”

I looked into his deep Emerald eyes. “With everything I am.”

“Then believe me when I tell you that my people will love you,” he said firmly. “And believe me when I tell you I’m going to kill Agidius, his bitch of a mother, and anyone else who poses a threat to you. There’s nothing in this world that will keep me from coming back to you.”

His words were a promise, and they settled the storm inside of me, if only for a moment.

He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my neck, the sensation sending a trail of whispers down my body. I looked into his eyes and in that moment, I desperately wanted to kiss him—to really kiss him. I planned on doing just that but when I leaned in, a knock sounded on the door.

I sighed in frustration and judging by the barely disguised smile on Ash’s face, my annoyance was obvious.

Rolling my eyes, I stood, walking to the door.

Lilly was standing there, her usual soft smile in place. The story of Lilly’s past resurfaced in my mind, my heart clenching as I looked at her. I didn’t shy away from the scar on her face anymore; in fact, I barely noticed it now, seeing only the brave, resilient girl underneath.

“I heard you two were leaving us today,” she said, her eyes full of warmth.

Ash appeared behind me. “Hey, Lil,” he said. “We’re almost done packing. We’ll be heading out soon.”

“I was just on my way out for the day but wanted to say goodbye,” Lilly said, her voice wavering slightly, and it hit me just how difficult these goodbyes would be.

I’d been trying my best not to think about them, knowing how much I’d miss these people who had taken me into their family as one of their own. I had to focus on not crying while hugging Lilly.

“Thank you, Lilly, for everything, for treating me like family.” I smiled at her.

“That’s because you are family now, Areya.”

Ash also gave Lilly a hug, and when she pulled away, she had tears in her eyes.

She put a hand on his arm.

“I’m so glad you’re ok, Sebastian,” she said, and then she looked between the two of us. “You two take care of each other, ok?”

We nodded, and she offered us one last smile before turning and walking away.

Back in the room, Ash quickly placed the last items I had laid out into my bag, then flung it over his shoulder along with his own.

“I can carry my own bag, you know,” I insisted.

“I know you can, princess.”

He took my hand, and we headed down to the main floor of the manor.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs, Madam Pearl was waiting. She smiled at us both, then opened her arms and embraced Ash. “Don’t wait so long to visit next time.” She pulled away and placed her hand on his cheek. “You know I love you, my young prince.”

“I love you too, Pearl,” he said, laying his hand on top of hers. Knowing their history now, I was quite emotional watching their interaction.

Madam Pearl turned toward me next and opened her arms a second time. I walked into the embrace, that same motherly hug in which she had held me that first night.

“Thank you for everything,” I said, my voice wavering. As hard as I had tried, I couldn’t keep myself from crying. When I pulled away and looked at her face, she also had tears in her eyes.

She took my hands. “I’m the one who should be thanking you, Areya. I know your mother would be so proud of you, just as I am.” She offered me a wide smile. “Now go save the world.”

I laughed quietly and hugged her one last time before we went to the door.

Ash had a hand on the doorknob when the sound of screaming resonated.

“Areya! Wait!” I looked back to find Keo and Fin running toward us.

“We heard you guys were leaving, and we wanted to say goodbye.” Keo was out of breath.

I chuckled and threw my arms around him.

“I’m so glad you came to say goodbye,” I said, before I let go and gave Fin a hug. When I pulled away, I couldn’t help but smile at the redness of Fin’s cheeks.

“Will you come back?” Fin asked.

I was unsure what to say, but this didn’t feel like a forever goodbye.

“Maybe you’ll come to see us next time and see what kind of fun Ambrosia has to offer.” Both boys’ eyes lit up. Ash even hugged them both before we left the manor for good.

A polite Cresinthian named Cindy awaited us on the train to Ambrosia.

The ride, which took just over an hour, felt endless as my heart grew heavier with each passing mile, the city of Echo and the people I had come to care for slipping further into the distance. I spent most of the journey quietly leaning into Ash, his arm protectively around me.

He was worried about me, judging by how he glanced down at me every few minutes.

When his eyes searched my face, I did my best to offer him small smiles, trying to hide the sadness tugging at my chest.

The ascent to Ambrosia didn’t feel quite as magical as the descent to Cresinthia had.

My mind was too occupied, torn between the mysteries of the unknown ahead and the lingering ache of the home we had left behind. As we neared the top of the river, sunlight began to filter through, faint at first but growing stronger.

Actual sunlight.

I glanced at Ash, at the hand I was holding so tightly, and in that moment, I knew it would be ok. The weight of uncertainty lifted slightly.

I could face this unknown as long as Ash was by my side.

My mother’s warnings echoed in my mind—her urging me to leave Cresinthia and follow Ash. Now, as we prepared to break through the surface of the water, a sense of peace settled over me. Even if it hurt to leave, this was exactly where I was meant to be.